Many home buyers have thought they found the perfect Staten Island house, signed the dotted line and believe they’ve watched enough home improvement shows to know if they’re getting a good deal. And then some make the mistake of skipping a home inspection in order to save a little cash. Do the right thing by you and your dream home and hire a home inspector!
The home inspection consists of a very detailed look throughout the home. The main goal of a home inspection is to make sure that the home is safe to live in.For example, the inspector will take a close look at the roof to make sure it is well intact. They will also check to see if there is any structural or mechanical damage such as broken heating systems, or a collapsing floor. The basement will be checked for cracks and damage as well as your toilets and more. A termite report is usually needed as well, which you can have the home inspector do at the time of inspection to save you time and money. This isn’t required but it is generally cheaper compared to contracting a separate termite inspection agency. It is essential to know what kind of shape your future home is in before you move in. Knowing very well what type of situation you are in will put you in a great position when you start planning your future in the house.
It is very important to follow the inspector and take notes on what he is observing. Some issues may not arise now, but can turn into problems in the future, especially in older homes. It is important to be educated and prepared for possible future maintenance that you will need and how to avoid problems if possible. An inspection is also another tool you can have in your back pocket for sale negotiation purposes. Damage that needs to be fixed on the home can be negotiated to have the seller pay for them or to even have the purchase price of the home lowered to compensate for the maintenance work needed.
Once you’ve signed a contract, schedule a home inspection before the termination period has ended. An inspector could easily find something that you just cannot live with or afford to fix. While a home might look like it’s in perfect condition on the surface, there could be major issues hiding beneath its façade. By hiring an inspector you’ll be able to budget for immediate and future repairs.
Electrical Wiring
This is a common bubble-busting issue, especially in older homes. Wiring might have been up to code when the home was built, but it now violates code and is a fire hazard. Look for ungrounded outlets, shoddy wiring or a mass of confusing connections in the electrical panel. Replacing an entire electrical system can be expensive, but it’s worth it not to risk a fire.
Plumbing
Look for signs of water damage in the ceilings. This could be a sign that something above, like a bathtub or sink is leaking into the floor or walls. Look around toilets and inside kitchen cabinets for traces of wet flooring or wood. While external leaks are easy enough to fix, interior pipes might require you to rip up flooring.
Foundation And Framing
Examine the foundation and framing of your home for any structural issues. You’ll want to keep an eye out for cracking in the foundation due to water runoff or settling. Also, look for signs of wood rot or termite damage. These issues affect the framing of your home and could cause structural problems if left unattended.
Roofing
While it’s probably too difficult for you to inspect the roof yourself, just stand back in the yard and see if you can notice any bare spots. Also, check for water damage around the roofline from rain leaking in. Don’t get too discouraged about roof issues. It might not call for a complete replacement, but just a repair on one section.
These common Staten Island home inspection issues affect both sellers and buyers. As a buyer, you’ll want to keep a eye out for these problems so that you know what you’d be getting for your hard-earned money. As a seller, it’s good to stay one step ahead of the home inspector so that whatever price is agreed upon goes through.
Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on
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